BOSTON – Reynold Pereyra Diaz, 39, formerly of Taunton, Massachusetts, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for a brazen, nearly two-decade-long scheme involving stolen identity and healthcare fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs handed down a one-year prison sentence, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered Pereyra Diaz to face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.
The Dominican national pleaded guilty on July 29, 2021, to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of making a false statement relating to a federal health care program. The scope of the fraud stretched back at least 18 years, during which Pereyra Diaz systematically impersonated a U.S. citizen. He used the stolen identity to obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license and illegally applied for and received MassHealth benefits – essentially stealing resources meant for legitimate residents.
The scheme unraveled in December 2018 when investigators executed a search warrant at Pereyra Diaz’s residence. The search yielded a trove of incriminating evidence: a marriage license bearing his true name, juxtaposed with a driver’s license, birth certificate, Social Security card, and bank cards all belonging to the victim whose identity he’d pilfered. The evidence painted a clear picture of a calculated and prolonged effort to live under a false persona and exploit the system.
The case was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations’ Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a multi-agency unit dedicated to combating these types of schemes. The DBFTF brings together experts from various federal, state, and local agencies, recognizing that identity and benefit fraud rarely operate in isolation. This coordinated approach was crucial in untangling the complexities of Pereyra Diaz’s deception.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell, alongside Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, announced the sentencing today. They were supported by numerous other agencies, including the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, and multiple local police departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit successfully prosecuted the case. The lengthy investigation and subsequent conviction send a clear message: those who attempt to defraud the system and steal the identities of others will be held accountable, and face serious federal penalties – including imprisonment and deportation. This isn’t just about money; it’s about protecting the integrity of vital social programs and the rights of American citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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